Bamboo charcoal 竹炭 is made from fresh Moso Bamboo and is also known as “Black Diamond”. Its use is populated in Asia especially in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. In China, from early historical records, it is evident that bamboo charcoal has been used in ancient times.

Bamboo charcoal has high mineral contents such as potassium, calcium, iron, and sodium. And for so many years, people especially in Japan uses bamboo charcoal for many purposes, from households, kitchen tools to medicines.

Production of Bamboo Charcoal

Bamboo growing at the age of 4-5 years old is burnt at high temperatures of 800ºc and above, until it enters into the genre of the white charcoal. The calorific value reaches up to 7000 calorie which is greater than 4000 calorie of normal wood charcoal. The surface area is large in comparison with the normal charcoal, bamboo charcoals displays a higher porous structure (pores and gaps). As for the surface area for 1 gram of bamboo charcoal, it is about 700 m², exceeding 300 m² of 1 gram of Binchotan or white charcoal, 備長炭 . Thus, it is commonly said that the surface area of bamboo charcoal pores is 2~3 two times that of wood charcoal. In terms of carbonisation, there is much time and skill needed to process the bamboo to its carbonized form or charcoal structure than normal wood charcoal. From research and studies, the terminal carbonization temperature contributes most to bamboo charcoal quality and properties. And this can be tested using an electrical multimeter test.

Bamboo Charcoal Components

Volatile Organic Component Physical Characteristics (Typical)

PH Value

9.9

Carbon (WT%)

9.15

Ashes (WT%)

5.90

Capacity (g/ml)

0.60

Iodine Absorption Value (mg/g)

301

This table shows the volatile organic components of a typical batch of high quality bamboo charcoal. The main constituent is the carbon and ashes. Typical chemical properties such as absorption capacity and weight of Iodine absorption per gram of bamboo charcoal are also shown. In a Japanese laboratory, an experiment on removal of formaldehyde was conducted in a room size approximately 12 tatami mats. Approximately 1kg of bamboo charcoal was left in the room. Formaldehyde content dropped from 0.161ppm to 0.039ppm in 5 minutes. This shows the power of Japanese quality bamboo charcoal.

Microstructure of Bamboo Charcoal

It can be observed from the microstructure of bamboo charcoal under electron microscope, the main composition is carbon with 6 sided or hexagons holes joined together. This effectively becomes a very unique and natural absorption system like a hard ‘sponge’, which can trap impurities, harmful matters and gases.

These unique properties make bamboo charcoal good for deodorisation, purification, and humidity control (The adsorption capacity of bamboo charcoal to methanol, benzene, methylbenzene, ammonia, and chloroform were being studied and tested in laboratories). In addition, due to its material properties it is capable of eliminating electromagnetic waves, generating far infrared rays and releasing of negative ions. The infrared rays emitted constantly from charcoals reduce moisture in the air into fine particles that naturally change into negative ions. For necessary conditions, a certain amount of moisture must be present in the air if bamboo charcoal is used to increase the room's negative ion ratio. The electric conductivity of bamboo charcoal is increased with increase in carbonization temperature. When carbonization temperature reaches 800ºc, bamboo charcoal becomes quite electrically conductive. Therefore, bamboo charcoal carbonized under high temperature has effective property for electromagnetic wave shielding. Presently, there is some on-going research in developing products with electromagnetic shielding and anti-radiation properties.

Our Passion, Your Satisfaction

We import the bamboo charcoal of high quality with passion for delighting our customers. The power of the bamboo charcoal is mysterious and beyond what we can imagine. We are sure that our customers will experience the natural power and uses of this indispensable nature’s gift in their everyday life!

If you wish to find out more about Bamboo charcoal usage, can download our brochure here.